Chief Chat: Time to honor police

Next week, May 12–18, has been proclaimed National Police Week when the nation remembers and pays tribute to the men and women of law enforcement who have given the supreme sacrifice in the performance of their duties.

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By Rolla Police Chief Mark Kearse

The Rolla Daily News - Rolla, MO

By Rolla Police Chief Mark Kearse

Posted May. 12, 2013 at 2:00 PM

By Rolla Police Chief Mark Kearse
Posted May. 12, 2013 at 2:00 PM

Next week, May 12–18, has been proclaimed National Police Week when the nation remembers and pays tribute to the men and women of law enforcement who have given the supreme sacrifice in the performance of their duties.

Each year, between 140 and 160 law enforcement officers are killed in the line of duty. During National Police Week, law enforcement officials, police survivors and members of the community attend candlelight vigils, police officer memorial dedications and many other services to pay their respect to those who gave all!

Here in Rolla, our officers will display a black band across their duty badges in remembrance of their fallen comrades. We will also display (C.O.P.S.) blue ribbons on our patrol cars during the week as a tribute to the cause. The ribbons are provided to each law enforcement agency by the Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) organization.

The C.O.P.S. organization, in its 29th year, is a non-profit organization that provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families and affected co-workers of law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty.

On Saturday, May 4, officers Jessie Hoyt and Jonathon Stack travelled to the Capitol building in Jefferson City to attend the annual law enforcement memorial service.

This next entry will be from the Rolla Police Department Special Olympics coordinator Sgt. Vince Giacolone who writes: Mark your calendars. Tuesday, May 28, come help us celebrate the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Missouri.

Rolla police officers along with officers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Phelps County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri S&T and several surrounding police agencies will be participating in the annual Torch Run which starts in Sullivan at the Walmart Supercenter parking lot at 9 a.m. Runners and support staff will stage and then begin the nearly 40-mile trek that will leave Sullivan, continue westbound on I-44, and end in a gala celebration, with all the runners arriving at the Rolla Kohl’s parking lot (220 N. Bishop) at approximately 1:30 p.m.

Food and Torch Run T-shirts will be available for purchase, and music and DJ entertainment provided by Travel Tunes will start at 12:30 p.m. Be there to welcome the runners as lots of good spirit will be in the air when the runners arrive. For questions or more information contact Sgt. Vince Giacolone, Rolla Police Department, 573-308-1213.

On Wednesday, May 4, the Rolla Optimist Club hosted the annual Respect for Law Banquet where area law enforcement agencies are invited to a banquet in their honor, as a way to show appreciation for doing what we do to keep the community safe.

Traditionally, members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri S&T Police Department, Rolla Police Department, Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Phelps County Circuit Court and other elected officials are invited as well.

Page 2 of 2 - The highlight of the evening is the announcement of the winner of the coveted Bramlett-Light Award, named after two progressive Rolla police chiefs Sherman Bramlett and Ab Light. This year’s recipient of the award is Jamie Myers of Prevention Consultants for his dedication and guidance of our youth through countless outreach programs designed to assist our young people in making the right life choices. Thanks Jamie and thanks to the Rolla Optimist Club.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our newest member to the Rolla police family with the hiring of Todd Snider. Todd comes to us after his retirement from the United States Marine Corps. Todd has accepted a position as patrolman.

Todd resides in Rolla with his wife and family and is looking forward to serving the Rolla community. Please be sure to welcome him when you see him. Todd is assigned to Sgt. Ken Moberly’s shift and will be undergoing 12 weeks of field training to prepare him for life as a Rolla Police Officer. Welcome aboard Todd!

In closing, I would like to recognize those Rolla Police Department employees who are celebrating a May hiring date. They are: Lt. Doug James with 22 years of service, Senior Patrol Officer Jason Copeland with seven years of service, Senior Patrol Officer Ben Tinsley with seven years of service, Communications Supervisor Stacey Smith with 17 years of service and Telecommunicator Katy Quigley with one year of service. Congratulations to all and thanks for all that you do.